USA > Alabama > Montgomery County > Montgomery > Directory of the city of Montgomery, and historical sketches of Alabama soldiers > Part 10
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General Wood and Staff were peculiarly unfortunate in the engagement at Perryville. The General wounded early in the action and carried from the field ; the command of his brigade, in consequence of so many field officers being killed and wounded, soon devolved upon his staff, one of whom, Maj. Gailer was killed and two others wounded, who afterwards died from their wounds.
The writer of this sketch would do violence to the promptings of his heart if he did not make mention of two Alabamians, officers on General Wood's staff, who died at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, from wounds received at the battle of Perryville. Major W. H. Price, of Florence, and Captain L. A. McClung, of Tuscumbia. They were among the first to volunteer when the call was made for troops in the spring of 1861-were officers in the same company, and devoted friends. After the expiration of the time for which their company had enlisted expired, they accepted from General Wood, who had been their company and regimental commander, positions on his staff-Major Price as A. S. C. and captain McClung as aid de camp. They behaved with marked gallantry on the bloody field of Shiloh. Major Price was wounded, and Captain (then Lieutenant) McClung had his horse shot under him. In consequence of distinguished services rendered on that occasion, McClung was recommended to the war department for promotion and commissioned A. A. G., and placed on duty with gen Wood's brigade. Two more chivalous men never drew their swords in defence of the Southern cause ; they fell in front of the line of battle while leading their brigade, near the close of this action. They died in the same room within a few days of each other, and now "sleep their last sleep," side by side in the cemetery at Harrodsburg.
Though far distant from home and prisoners of war, they were treated with every kinkness and attention ; "there was no lack of woman's, nursing ---- there was no dearth of woman's tears." Friends were not wanting to administer to their comfort and consign their bodies to the earth, and their graves were watered by tears from eyes "unused to weep."
Among the long list of Alabama's sons, whose deeds of noble daring, cause our hearts to swell with heavings of gratitude, and whose distant foot- steps shall "echo through the corridors of time," the names of Price and McClung are to be found surrounded by a halo of glory which time cannot eclipse-"none knew them but to love them, none named them but to praise."
Though the cause for which they fought is lost-though the banner which they delighted to bear through the smoke of battle is forever faded, their names can never be forgotten Hallowed are the immortal dead whose indomitable spirits have made the fields of the South immortal. The God of liberty accepts the offering. and though its incense has shed a gloom over the hearts of millions, still it is holy. It rises from a patriot's altar, and whilst a nation's tears water the green sod and drooping flowers that cover the soldier's grave, the ir names are embalmed in the Southern heart.
The 27th Alabama was exchanged at Vicksburg, in September 1862
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and reorganized by the election of the same field officers, at Jackson, Miss. It was soon sent to Port Hudson, where it was rejoined by that portion which had been in the army of Tennessee.
In October Colonel Hughes died from disease ; Lieutenant Colonel Jack- son was promoted to Colonel, Major McAlexander to Lieutenant Colonel and Captain Wright of company B to Major-Lieutenant Watson was assigned to the command of company B, and Lieutenant F. Le B. Goodwin of company A. In April, 1863, the 27th was placed in General Buford's brigade and assigned to duty in General Loring's division, which was on the Big Black in Mississippi. On the 16th May it participated in the bat- tle of Baker's creek. It was there when the army was retreating from the field that Captain W. A. Isbell of company G was wounded by a random shot, from which he died the following day. He fell near the place, and at the same time that brigadier General Tilghman was killed. Captain Isbell was from franklin county -- he entered the army as a lieutenant, in company G, and after the reorganization, was placed in command of his company. He was a good soldier, a kind officer, beloved by all who knew him. In his death the army lost a good officer, and his county one of its most popular young men. Lieutenant S. S. Anderson was promoted to his place.
After the battle of Baker's creek the 27th was not engaged again until the seige of Jackson, which lasted ten days. After the evacuation of Jackson by General Joseph E. Johnston, the army fell back on the railroad in the direction of Meridian, Mississippi, and remained several months-the enemy in the meantime, having retired beyond Big Black, General Loring's division went into winter quarters at Canton.
In the spring of 1864, the 27th and 35th Alabama regiments were detached and sent to North Alabama to recruit. Disease and battle had sadly reduced their numbers ; and they scarcely had a sufficiency to maintain their organization. In consequence of North Alabama being threatened by raids from the Federal cavelry, then at Decatur, they were enabled to do very little in the way of recruiting their decimated ranks.
In April Colonel Jackson, with one hundred men, crossed the Tennessee river in the night, attacked a camp of cavalry and captured a full company, with their horses, equipments, etc. He only lost one man and recrossed the river before the enemy. which was in close proximity. were aware of his movements. In May following, the regiment was ordered to the army of Tennessee, consolidated with several other Alabama regiments and placed in brigadier General Scott's brigade. Colonel Jackson, being the senior officer, was retained in command. In one of the engagements near Atlanta he was wounded in the arm and had it amputated ; atter he had recovered from his wound he rejoined his command was placed in command of the brigade, which position he occupied when the Confederate forces surrendered.
Colonel Jackson first entered the army as a private in the noted 4th Ala- bama. He was shot through the lungs at the first battle of Manassas and dis- charged from the army. As soon as he had recovered sufficiently to enable him to enter the field. he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 27th. He is now Senator from Lauderdale county. He is man of imdomitable energy. strong will, great decision of character, and devoted to the South
There were few regiments in the Confederate service in which mortality was greater than the 27th. It, organized with eight hundred men, was recruited by two hundred more, and of that number three fourths had died or were killed before the surrender. In the battles around Atlanta and in Hood's campaign in Tennessee. the remnant lost heavily.
F. Le B. Goodwin, Representative from Franklin county, is a native of Vir-
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ginia was educated at the University of that State, and came to Alabama in the fall of '59, and located in Tuscumbia. During the presidential canvass in 1860, was an earnest supporter of Bell and Everett, and took an active part in their behalf, frequently meeting on the stump the first men of the State.
Educated in the school of the old line Whigs, and fully imbued with the principles of that party, he earnestly opposed the secession of the States from the Federal Union, but when the State of his adoption had passed the ordinance of secession, he was not slow to declare his intention to support her policy.
In March 1861, when troops were called for by Governor Moore, to garrison the forts on the coast, he assisted in raising the first company, which was organized in North Alabama ; was commissioned a Lieutenant and ordered to Fort Morgan. His company afterwards was attached to the 2nd Alabama regiment, commanded by the gallant Harry Maury, of Mobile.
'In the present General Assembly, there are four other gentleman, who were members of the 2nd Alabama, Messrs Lanier and Ellis of the House, and Judge Norwood and Colonel Kilpatrick of the Senate.
After remaining at Fort Morgan until November, Mr. Goodwin resigned- returned home and entered the ranks of the 27th Alabama, which had just been organized and ordered to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river.
He with his regiment, after participating in the engagements at Fort Henry and Donalson, was surrendered when the latter place was capitulated, but making his escape, joined the army of General A. S. Johnson, which was then retreating from Nashville. He remained with the army of Tennessee from the battle of Shiloh to Perryville, when he fell into the hands of the enemy and was carried to prison. After remaining a few months in prison he was exchanged at Vicksburg and rejoined his original command, which in the mean time had been exchanged and ordered to Port Hudson, on the Mississippi river. At the reorganization of his regiment he was elected Captain of the company, in which he was a private. His regiment remained several months at Port Hudson, and after leaving there was attached to Major General Loring's division, and participated in the engagement on the the Big Black and the seige of Jackson.
When Lieutenant General Polk's corps was ordered to the army of Ten- nessee, the regiment to which Mr. Goodwin was attached, was consolidated with several others. and he, with other officers, were placed on detached service. He afterwards joined a cavalry command and remained in that branch of the service until the surrender of the Confederate forces. After the surrender he returned to North Alabama, located at Frankfort, the county site of Franklin, and resumed the practice of the law.
EIGHTH ALABAMA REGIMENT INFANTRY.
No troops engaged in the Confederate cause 0 had a more arduous and bloody participancy of our struggle for liberty than the eighth. Indeed, to detail a length all the battles, skirmishes and marches in which it was engaged, would be little less than to write a his ory of the war in Virginia.
It is the proud boast of the 8th that it never turned its back to t e enemy on the battlefield; nor failed to ady ince when ordere !. The regiment was organ- ized on the 12th June, 1861, and was the first regiment in the State organized for the wir. John A. Winston was made Colonel ; John Frazer, Lieut. Colonel ; Thos. E. Irby, Major ; Thos. Phelan, Adjutant ; and J. A. Robbins, Quartermaster
Col. Winston, was a strict disciplinarian, and exacted a full discharge of duty from all under his command. He commanded in but oue important battle, and
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deported himself there in a very soldierly manner. He resigned his command soon after the battle of Seven Pines.
Major Irby, was born in South Carolina, but for many years preceding the war was a citizen of Dallas county, in this State. He was a brave and noble spirited man. Like many o' our officers, he had but little military experience. He was however, rapidly acquiring the requisite knowledge and was on the road to pre- ferment. He was most enthusiastically devoted to the cause for which he fought and died. As hereafter detailed, he fell in the batttle of Willia " sburg.
Tom Phelan the Adjutant, who was son of the Hon. J. D. Phelan, of our Su- preme Bench, was raised in Perry county. He was a young man of pure morals, and intellectual endowments far above mediocrity. A brilliant future of honor and nsefulness was in store for him if he had been spared. He fell at Gaines' Mill.
After its organization, the 8th lay in encampments many months around York- town in Virginia. During this time much skirmishing took place with the Yan- kee forces, whose headquarters were at Fortress Monroe. Our troops made strong fortifications at Yorktown, and worked to a great extent on the same ground that had been fortified and fought upon by Gen. Washington in our revo- lutionary war. It is known to all that this was the scene of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and virtually of the termination of the struggle which resulted in bursting the fetters of British rule, which had been so tyrannically exercised over .8. From Yorktown the 8th marched to Camp Prudence, six miles down the river, thence to Big Bethel, fifteen miles. This place was the scene of an im- portant defeat of the Federals. Our troops, under Generals Hill and Magruder. met the Yankee forces commanded by Butler and Pierce, and most signally de- feated them. Pierce seems to have been lost sight of since that battle, and Gen. Butler has at no time been present in an engagement. From Bethel the 8th marched to Harwood's Mill, eight miles. Here the en my in strong force, under Gen. Heintzelman, was first seen by the regiment, which, after a skirm sh, fell back to Wynn's Mill, on Warwick river. a distance of eight miles. This was a point on our line of fortifica ions which extended from Yorktown to James river.
During the three weeks the command remained in position here, Lieut. Colonel Frazer having resigned, Major Irby was promoted to the vacant position, and Capt. Royston, of Company A, was made Major, and Thomas Phelan, the Adju- tant, was elected Captain of Company A. The brigade was here assailed in front by a heavy mass of Mcclellan's troops, a large force of whom had secured posi- tions not more than three hundred and fifty yards distant. Here Capt. Royston (bef re his promotion) with his own company and Captain Cleveland's of the 8th, and three companies from a Georgia regiment, was ordered to move to the front and reconnoitre the position of the enemy, a part of whose lines and works were mask d by a dense forest and undergrowth of pine. In discharge of the assigned duty, the Captain, with the gallant companies under his command, marched a mile down the enemy's line within range of t eir fire, drove in their pickets and captured a part of their cam s, with much provision, and other stores. This dangerous service was most successful y performed, and was the means of ma- king known to our Generals the character and extent of the enemy's fortifica- tions, and the number of batteries in our front.
On the 1st of May, 1862, Gen Johnston ordered a retrograde movemement to Williamsburg, twelve miles distant. The superior number of the enemy had ena- bled them to send troops up the York river, and thus to threaten both our flank and rear. At the same time that the 8th fell back from Wynn's Mill, the labor was commenced of sending all the baggage, artillery, ammunition and army stores back to Richmond, and the whole army began a movement to the same point.
On the morning of May 5th, the army of General Johnston was slowly wending its way to Richmond over the most despicable road in t e Confederacy ; a light clay soil fully saturated with rain and then cut up by the hundred thousand feet, hoofs and wheels of a large army, is no small impediment to a march.
In the vicinity of Williamsburg, General Longstreet, who commanded the rear guard, was apprised early in the morning, that the enemy were pursuing in force, and he determined to give them a reception worthy of the cause he defend- ed. Here was fought on , of the most warmly contested artions of the war. In- fantry, artillery and cavalry were engaged, and never did Southern military prowess shine more conspicuously. The proportionate loss of the enemy has, perhaps, in no battle been greater than it was here. The 8th was then in Pry- or's bridge. Lieut. Colonel Irby was the ranking officer present in command.
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At the commencement of the action, General Pryor ordered the regiment to be divided : The first bat allion, under Lieut. Colonel Irby, was placed in a redoubt of much strength near the centre of our line of battle; the second battallion, under Major Royston, was ordered to hold a strong field work on our right.
By 10 o'clock the battle was raging furiously on our centre and right wing. The gene al direction of our movements during the battle was intended to turn the enemy's left tlauk and throw it upon his right. The Ist Batta ion, and also the 2d, were inten ed to hold the strong points to which they had been assigned, and were also held as a corps de reserve. After the battle had been for some
time progressing, Lieut. Colonel Irby becoming impatient at the inactive duty assigned him, led three of the five companies under his command out of the for- tification he had been or ered to hold, and boldly dashed forward towards the lines of the enemy. He was soon met by overwhelming number , and as he had no support on the right, loft or rear, he was compelled to fall back. Never did Spartan band make more heroic resistance than these three compani .s. As slowly they fell back, their narrow front sent forth an almost continual sheet of well-directed fire, shattering the front of the advancing foe. Here Lient. Colonel Irby was killed.
The 2d Battallion continued to occupy the fortifie ! position on the right until 1 o'clock, when, in obedience to orders, Major Royston took three of the five companies under his command and double-quicked to our extreme left, to rein- force our troops in Fort Magruder, who were then under attack. Soon after their arrival the enemy were repulsed. By 4 o'clock the bloody contest was over, and the Yankees everywhere de eated. The loss of the enemy in this battle was immense, our own not light. Iam unable to give the number of casualties, fur- ther than to say t.e 8th lost 100 men.
After this battle our troops received but little molestation on their march to Richmond. The 8th was posted in the neighborhood of the Capital, where it re- mamed until the Ist of June, when was fought the battle of S-ven Pines.
In this battle the 8th was commande : by Colonel John A. Winston, Lieut. Col. Y. L. Royson, (promoted vice Irby, deceased,) and Major H. A. Herbert, (senior Captain, promoted.) In this action the 8th at one time, led on by their impetu ous officers, had advanced too far into the enemy's position, and nothing but the coolest bravery and the most perfec discip ine enabled them to fall back in or- der and form upon the genera Ine of bat le. Ir fought in Pryor's brigade, Wil- cox commanding the division. The conduct of the Regim nt was warmly lauded upon the ba tle field by Lieut. General Hill. In this action Major Herbert was taken prisoner, and Captains Lockey, Summers, Lieut. Kennedy, and many other gallant officers were killed. The loss of the Regimen. w's 150 men.
After this conflict the 8th returned to camp near Richmond, and remained there until the inauguration of General Lee's brilliant operations on the Chicka- hominy. The command was now transferred to Wilcox's brigade and still con- tinued in Longstreet's division, where it had been since the 15th of April. On the 16th of June Colon -1 Winston resigned his command, and Lient. Colonel Royston was pro noted to the vacant position
On the 26th June, Wilcox's brigade, with the rost of Longstreet's division, marched to the vicinity of Mechanicsville, at night crossing the Chickaho iny at Meadow's bridge. Here the troops lay upon th ir arms until daylight of the next morning.
At a very early hour the enemy, who were in easy range, commenced firing upon Wilcox's command. The participancy of the 8th in this struggle was only one of endurance ; it never returned the fire it endure.I, for at an eary hour the Yanks, under Fitz John Porter, were defeated by other brigades of the division, and commenced a rapid retreat down the river. The 8th, which was the regi- ment on the extreme right of Lee's army, then took part in pursuit of the enemy. Wilcox's brigade rapidly sweeping along the eastern bank of the Chickahominy, pressed upon their rear. Frequently were passed deserted camps, immense piles of clothing, provisions and every species of army stores which the enemy had abandoned and committed to the flames. At 1 o'clock we approached the Yan- kee army and found them in immense force at Gaines' Mill.
It is a point very strong from its natural formation, and had received much ad- ditional strength from the skill and the labor of the engineers who had superin- tended the arrangement of its defenses. Soon after Lonstreet's division arrived in view of the enemy, the plan of attack was settled, and at 3 o'clock the assault was ordered. The 10th and 11th Alabama regiments were the first ordered to the attack, and gallantly they rushed forward; but assailed in front and flank, and Colonel S. F. Hale, of the 10th, and Woodward, of the 11th, being killed, the as-
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sault was repulsed. The 8th and 9th were then ordered forward. Truly this was a hazardous service ; no place for fancy drilled, holiday soldiers. The much cele- br-ted charge of McDonald at Wagram was not opp. sed by greater difficulties and dangers than had here to be overcome. The two regiments were exposed to a fire of twenty-seven pieces of artillery, most of which was in front, but a few piece- were in the rear on an elevation on the opposite bank of the river, all within exact range.
In the front and on the right flank was an nnmense force of the enemy's infant- ry protected by breastworks and dit hes of much depth and width ; the 8th on the extreme right was mu h exposed to a flank fire, as we were outflanked in that direction by a quarter of a mile. At the command forward, the 8th promptly ad- vanc-d, as did the brave 9th. Firmly, steadily and in good order they moved on. Bombs, canisters, grapeshot and minnie balls rained destruction on their ranks, but bold y and denantly they moved onward, and still onward, nearer, and still nearer, to the enemy's works. Comrades were falling on the right and left, pre- cipices were to be climbed, deep ditches to be crossed, and b eastworks bristling with bayonets were to be over ome, and all to be' achieved under a heavy fire from front, flank and rear, yet undismayed the 8th steadily advanced, every offi- cer and private seemed inspired by the desperate duty in which they were en- gaged : th gallant Colonel was everywhere in the hottest of the fire, stimulating, urging and leading forward his command. At length the goal is reached, the po- sition is carried, the en my suffering imme. se slaughter rapidly retreat. This was a glorious victory, but alas ! it was dear y bought. One-half of the 8th was killed and wounded, but fourteen commissioned officers were left unhurt. Many gallant officers fell here who deserve, and it is hoped will receive an honorable notice of their services. The writer feels constrained to deplore the loss of Phe- lan of Pry, and Henson, of Coosa, than whom two more chivalrous spirits have not falle ! during the war. Both fell in the ho test of the fight leading their com !- mands t the assault.
This butle was fought on Friday, 27th June, 1862. After the retreat of the en- emy the th with the rest of the brigade encamped upon the battle-field and re- mained : here until Sunday morning
It was now ascertained that Mcclellan was retreating to the protection of his gunboat- on James river. Longstreet's division re-crossed the Chickamauga at New Bridge, and passing near Richmond took the Darbytown road. and on Sun- day night camped near the ground where, June 30th, was fought the battle of Fra- zier's Farm. The enemy had selected his position with much judgment as one calculated to arrest our pursuit of their retreating columns.
They did not have such strong defenses as at Gaines' Mill, but they had a high ridge and had availed themselves of all the advantages of their strong position by establishing batteries and ambuscades. Our line of battle was formed about 3 o'clock in an old field. The whole brigade advanced in line of battle-the 8th, upon this occasion, was upon the extreme left. To reach the enemy's position, it was necessary to advance through an open space of four hundred yards. On our left was a body of uncleared land, abounding in thickets of brush and under- growth, in which a heavy force of the enemy had concealed themselves. For some cause this woods had been overlooked by our Generals in forming the plan of attack. The result was, the concealed foe continued a most deadly fire upon our brigade during the contest, and the 8th, being neare t to the ambuscade, suf- fered more than any other regiment. The fire from the front was from six pieces of artillery and a heavy force of infantry. Here was met the celebrated Irish brigade of Tom F. Meagher.
This battle was long and furious-each side, in its turn, was compelled to give ground. At one time the 8th was left, almost alone in front of the enemy. They were ordered to fall back in order. They were soon reinforced and returned to the attack, and drove the enemy from the position which he had so stubbornly defended. In this battle the 8th lost 90 of the 180 men who were engaged. Col. Royston was dangerously wounded in the head and hip. On the next day (Tues- d'ay, the 31st) was fought the battle of Malvern Hill
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